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Please convince me
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    Posted: 25 Apr 2020 at 9:43pm
Hi all you headphones users,

I went through a phase when I thought a good pair of headphones was the next step to HiFi Nevada but having demoed the usual suspects back in the late nineties didn't proceed and haven't given it much thought since but I keep thinking "am I missing out on some good stuff"

I have a supportive wife so I don't need to listening in isolation or in the dark after hours so what is the real appeal to headphones?

Intemacy, 3D sound, head sound, super staging, superb dynamic range, black dark silence to crystal clear highs?

Please tell me.

Thanks,
Brian
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Ash View Drop Down
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Points: 4360 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Apr 2020 at 10:13pm
If you have a suitable room for speakers, go for speakers. A nearfield desktop speaker setup is better value for money than top-of-the-line headphones. Headphones have become so stupidly expensive these days that I struggle to see their appeal anymore. My MySphere headphone cost me more than the rest of my system combined. I only bought mine as a reference and for an education. DIY speakers and digital EQ all the way!!
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Hi Brian, 
The short & glib answer is listen for yourself & find out.
A good set of headphones with a good amp can be a revelation but whether you like it or not
is another thing.
Some 'lauded' headphones sound poor.
Majestic/Enigma, Accession MM & MC.
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Points: 1091 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Aussie Mick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Apr 2020 at 1:05am
Hi Brian,
   It’s a good question. For me it’s not a case of better or worse, but different. With headphones you get to hear a sound completely unencumbered by a poor room and it’s reflections, lumpy bass and zingy highs. However, like Ash says, if you’ve got a good room, then you don’t have that problem. I enjoy headphones and speakers for the strengths of each, and I’m lucky to have a good and dedicated listening room. Perhaps a short pros and cons list...

Headphones  - intimacy and detail, terrific microdynamics, even response and tonal balance, deeper bass extension. Cons for me are a smaller soundstage and I can’t share it with friends in real time.

Speakers - massive recorded acoustics on the classical performances I love, the physical impact of music, greater depth and width of soundstage, more tactile and textured and 3D. Cons - I really need to save for a good subwoofer!

I built my headphone and speaker systems to do two very different things, rather than try to balance each system so I get the same “experience”. I started with the assumption that I’d never get them to meet in the middle, so I wouldn’t try. 

Again agreeing with Ash, if you don’t have a good room or perhaps don’t have the space, I’ve found headphones to be excellent value for money. Then again, I like what headphones do well, so I’m not chasing the top end.

Enjoy hearing what headphones can do in 2020 - I think if you go and demo a few you’ll see that they’ve come a long way in 25 years. There’s a huge amount of variety and you don’t need to shop at the top end to find something that (to my ears) easily bests the older classics like the HD600. 
All the best,
Mick.
Rega RP8 - Apheta 2 - Accession MC Enigma PS -Solo ULDE (Focal Utopia) - PS Audio M700 - Fical Kanta No2
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Many thanks for your views,

Mick I think you have hit the nail squarely on the head, and I do remember trying the HD600s which were the "goto choice" in many mags of the time.

I think, as Rich said, give it a go I might be hooked!

Thanks all,
Brian

PS whats your thoughts on decent not silly money headphone please, to get me started?
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AKG K-240 Studio https://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-Professional-Semi-Open-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1POW761C7KXT2&dchild=1&keywords=akg+k240&qid=1587916319&s=music&sprefix=akg+k240%2Cpopular%2C169&sr=8-1
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Hi Brian
first of all go for the best you can afford .
Plus if you are buying brand new don't forget to burn in both headphones and headphone amp it will make a difference as I found out . out of the box turned on and I was not happy
On what is best I find if I wont to listen to my music and I mean listen to it good headphones is the way for me. close my eyes and just listen. ( and forget the world around me)
I read on the internet closing your eyes and listening you hear more of what's in the music I find it works for me JUST try it
You can't go wrong with Graham Slee for headphone amps its what I've got and im well happy with it . SOLO plus PSU1 , as well phono amps
Good luck and happy listening
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